I've just downloaded a book by a 'mainstream' author. It's ok...bit formulaic, but ok. it's the first 'proper' (no offence intended here at all, please understand what I mean) book I've downloaded for months, and basically it was for research, not for 'the story'... and since starting to read it I've noticed this:

There is no passion; there are no typos; there is no individuality: there is conformity, as in do what the agent'/publisher wants...there is no soul...no originality, no voice, no bucking of the system, no surprise and no excitement...

For the last 6/7 months I have only read our work - us Indies - and I have been emotionally enhanced with EVERY book. Some are good, some are bad, some are exceptional. but all are sublime in their uniqueness. They are all unleashed, unfettered , and without hinderance. They are superb in their individuality and not bound by SOMEONE ELSE'S VIEW/OPINION on what we can or cannot write - on what is IN with the market or what is 'of the moment', or what is 'In fashion'...

We the Indie's are untethered and free to feel, think, write what we want to write, what we need to write, WE are unhindered and bow to no-one else's opinions to allow us to get our work 'out there'.

We are an astonishing bunch or dreamers, with lively intelligent minds, with huge imaginations and we are the future of writing. We will not be cowered by the few agents or publishers who feel 'they know best', because quite frankly, having had the privilege and pleasure to read so many wonderful 'free' thinking novels, I must conclude that we, the Indies are the future of exciting writing for our readers. WE have no boundaries or rules and we can seriously 'go for it' and dear Indies, that's what we must continue to do.

Odd what you think about in a quiet moment, isn't it? But our voices will be heard, and we will succeed to give our readers variety, choice and diversity - something with which, the big six will have huge trouble competing.

Yay guys...go! You have my unbridled admiration! (And I'm proud to be part of your gang..!)

You know what? I honestly agree with everything you said. There's good, bad and ugly in indy books, but to avoid them is to miss out on the amazingly passionate and wonderful experience that is only available outside of the traditional where the ONLY thing that matters is dollars. Sure we are concerned with sales and want to make money, but we don't use the parameters that guide traditional pubs to make our story decisions. I work hard to eliminate typos, like most of us do, but they happen. If some stick in the mud can't take an occasional typo that's their loss.

By the way, I've seen plenty of professionally published by BIG houses with typos, plot holes, and stupid shit in them... it happens, but some readers who can't get past the 'label' somehow forgive that and beat up indies because of them. The tide is shifting though. It's shifting hard. I've seen it. I've been in this for over 10 years, and I've seen the enormous shift... the most in the last year or two, and it's exciting as hell.

Hey noid
Yeah.
Did you read that post?
Yes, it brought tears to my eyes.
Why do we focus on Indies. Shouldn't we go after the publishers?
Not really. They're already paranoid beyond anything we could add.
Ummmmm...you're right. It would be like taking another shove full of dirt out of the Grande Canyon.
Exactly.